Diamondbacks Sign J.J. Putz
The Diamondbacks signed J.J. Putz to a two-year, $10MM deal with an option for 2013. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter links), MLB.com's Steve Gilbert and Jon Heyman of SI.com all reported on the deal, which is official now that the reliever passed his physical. Putz earns $4MM in 2011, $4.5MM in 2012 and either $6.5MM or a $1.5MM buyout in 2013, according to Rosenthal. LSW Baseball represents Putz, who posted a 2.83 ERA with 10.8 K/9 in 54 innings last year.
The White Sox offered the Type B free agent arbitration, so they'll obtain a supplementary first round pick for losing Putz. Back on November 10th, two MLBTR writers predicted Putz would sign with the Diamondbacks.
The Diamondbacks, who have prioritized the reconstruction of their bullpen, already added relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio today.
Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Garcia, Delcarmen, Gomez
Links for Tuesday, exactly five years after the Blue Jays signed A.J. Burnett to a five-year, $55MM deal. Now with the Yankees, Burnett's part of a Yankees rotation that's very much in flux. Here are today's links…
- The Cardinals announced on Twitter that they avoided arbitration with Ryan Theriot, signing the infielder to a one-year deal for 2011. Fanhouse's Steve Phillips says the deal is for $3.3MM.
- A Los Angeles judge ruled that Frank McCourt is not the sole owner of the Dodgers and the ruling is not expected to impact the team's day-to-day operations, according to Bill Shaikin and Carla Hall of the LA Times. If anything, the Dodgers have spent more aggressively than usual this winter.
- The Mets talked to Freddy Garcia's representatives at some point before the meetings, but the right-hander is not the team's top priority, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter).
- Manny Delcarmen, who was non-tendered by the Rockies last week, is drawing interest from two AL East teams (but not the Red Sox) according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com (on Twitter).
- Carlos Gomez is available, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter). The Brewers want pitching for Gomez and are reluctant to part with Lorenzo Cain.
- Quiet day for the Reds – GM Walt Jocketty tells MLB.com's Mark Sheldon that he's had "zero" discussions with teams or agents today (Twitter link).
- The Diamondbacks have some interest in Henry Blanco, but the catcher isn't expected to decide on his next team at the meetings, according to Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona (on Twitter).
- Derek Jeter told reporters, including Ben Shpigel of the New York Times, that he was bothered by how public his contract negotiations became.
Padres, Mariners, D’Backs In On Jorge Cantu
Free agent infielder Jorge Cantu is generating interest from the Padres, Mariners, and Diamondbacks, tweets Yahoo's Tim Brown.
Cantu, 29 in January, had a rough year for the Marlins and Rangers in 2010. He hit .256/.304/.392 in 515 plate appearances, logging time at the infield corners.
At Least Seven Teams Checked In On Rich Harden
The Yankees, Twins, Rays, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Mariners, and Rockies have checked in on free agent righty Rich Harden, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi says some teams like Harden as a starter, others as a reliever.
The oft-injured Harden received a $7.5MM guarantee from the Rangers last year, but had a lost season. He posted a 5.58 ERA, 7.3 K/9, 6.1 BB/9, 1.8 HR/9, and 34.5% groundball rate in 92 innings, battling a strained glute and shoulder tendinitis. These days he's a fastball/changeup pitcher with a 90.5 mph average heater.
Paul Konerko Rumors: Monday
Paul Konerko led all free agents with 39 home runs in 2010. The White Sox are considered the favorites, but the Rangers and Orioles are also in the mix. Here's the latest on the first baseman:
- Talks between Konerko and the White Sox seem to be going well, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link). Konerko will likely get $12.5MM per season, potentially for three years.
- The White Sox are awaiting a response from Konerko and agent Craig Landis, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
- The White Sox will continue to have conversations with Konerko's representatives, according to Scott Reifert of the White Sox (on Twitter). GM Kenny Williams is neither optimistic nor pessimistic about reaching a deal.
- White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf, asked if he expects to sign Konerko by week's end, replied, "I hope so." He also said Konerko "belongs in Chicago." Jon Paul Morosi reported the quotes on Twitter.
- Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers "had extended talks" with Konerko, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports. However, ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that the D'Backs have had "virtually no dialogue with Konerko." Konerko lives in the Phoenix area during the offseason. Arizona's first round pick is protected, so they'd give up their second rounder to sign him. The supplementary round is especially large this year, so second round picks will be pretty far down.
Red Sox Interested In Fuentes, Mahay
6:09pm: Fuentes is looking for $6-8MM per season, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter).
12:12pm: The Red Sox are interested in lefty relievers Brian Fuentes and Ron Mahay, reports Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. The Sox clearly have a need for southpaw relief, and unlike Scott Downs, Fuentes and Mahay will not cost a draft pick.
I wonder if Fuentes will first try to find a closing job. The Orioles are known to have contacted Fuentes' agent and can pitch a ninth inning opening. Though they seek a closer, the Diamondbacks are not in on Fuentes according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Check out my free agent stock watch piece on Fuentes here. My one-year, $4MM idea from October now seems light.
Diamondbacks Notes: Hampton, Lee, Crain
6:04pm: GM Kevin Towers says he has made Mike Hampton an offer, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (on Twitter).
2:59pm: The D'Backs are "pushing hard" to sign Putz to a two-year deal with a club option for 2013, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
2:36pm: GM Kevin Towers thinks he'll acquire a closer this week, tweets Yahoo's Steve Henson. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets that "good progress" is being made with Putz on that front.
11:28am: The Diamondbacks have a vacancy at first base, and they're still looking to add a closer despite acquiring David Hernandez. The latest:
- The Diamondbacks are "looking hard" at Derrek Lee for their first base opening, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.
- The D'Backs are eyeing free agents J.J. Putz and Jesse Crain as possible closers, tweets Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com. They're not in on Brian Fuentes, reports MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
D’backs May Be Nearing Deal With J.J. Putz
The Diamondbacks have serious interest in J.J. Putz and may be close to signing the reliever to a multiyear deal. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter) that the team's interest is serious and MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that the sides are nearing a two-year deal with an option for 2013.
Earlier today, reports indicated that the Diamondbacks have serious interest in the reliever. The Diamondbacks, who have prioritized the reconstruction of their bullpen, already added relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio today.
Orioles Acquire Mark Reynolds
The Orioles acquired slugging third baseman Mark Reynolds and a player to be named later or cash considerations for relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio, announced the team.
Reynolds' stock is at a low point after he hit .198/.320/.433 with 32 home runs and 211 strikeouts this year in 596 plate appearances for Arizona. However, he mashed 44 home runs in '09 despite whiffing 223 times. Reynolds owns the first three spots on the single-season strikeout all-time leaderboard. He was locked up by former D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes in March and is owed $5MM in '11 and $7.5MM in '12 with an $11MM club option for '13.
As a reliever, the 25-year-old Hernandez posted a 3.16 ERA, 10.9 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, and 0.97 HR/9 in 37 innings this year for the Orioles. He's a hard-throwing flyball pitcher who the Diamondbacks view as their seventh/eighth inning guy.
Mickolio, 26, is another hard-throwing right-handed bullpen arm. He came to the Orioles in the February '08 Erik Bedard trade. He's less established than Hernandez, with only 25 Major League innings to his name. Mickolio posted big strikeout numbers in 35 1/3 Triple-A innings this year but also allowed tons of hits, leading to a 6.37 ERA. He's dealt with various arm injuries the past few years.
Kevin Towers and Andy MacPhail last matched up on the Cla Meredith–Oscar Salazar swap from July of '09.
SI's Jon Heyman first reported the trade was close, with ESPN's Buster Olney, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert, and the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro adding details.
Diamondbacks Sign Melvin Mora
The Diamondbacks officially signed infielder Melvin Mora to a one-year, $2MM deal today. Mora and Geoff Blum will be tasked with replacing Mark Reynolds at third base.
Mora's career found new life in the National League with the Rockies this year. He hit .285/.358/.421 in 354 plate appearances while spending time at first base, second base, third base, and left field. Mora is represented by Eric Goldschmidt.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports broke the story, with Nick Piecoro and Steve Gilbert adding details.